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Jaguars' Big John committed to being a leader

After facing Del Rio's criticism, Jaguars DT said he's "getting back to work."

RICK WILSON/The Times-UnionNewly signed Jaguars safety Marlon McCree (20) talks about coverages with defensive coordinator Mel Tucker during the team's organized team activity session Thursday. The Jaguars signed the free agent, who began his career in2001 with Jacksonville, on Thursday.

RICK WILSON/The Times-UnionJaguars defensive tackle John Henderson rests on a knee while watching the team's practice Thursday in Jacksonville. Henderson was back on the field but saw limited action.

Defensive tackle John Henderson returned to practice Thursday and responded to criticism from Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio, who publicly blasted the two-time Pro Bowl player for skipping drills earlier in the week because of a shoulder injury.

Henderson revealed sustaining a Grade 2 shoulder separation from performing a forward roll shortly after the team stretch Monday, but he expressed surprise about Del Rio's harsh criticism. Henderson also reiterated his commitment to assuming a leadership role on defense.

"I was a little surprised, but like I said, he talked to me and let me know what he said," Henderson said. "Just like your daddy getting on you, you tell somebody else, then he comes back to tell you. It's not anything to get blown out of the water. We talked like men. We treated [one another] like men, and that's all it was. I let him know about the shoulder. He saw the X-rays. He was good. We're both good, and we're getting back to work."

Del Rio hurled verbal jabs at Henderson on Tuesday after Henderson skipped his second consecutive day of OTAs because of the injury, which was deemed "minor" by the coach. Del Rio publicly questioned Henderson's toughness, later suggesting that Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi would roll over in his grave if he'd witnessed a player missing time over such an injury.

Del Rio stood by those comments Thursday, emphasizing that the coaching staff won't tolerate anything less than a "100-percent, fully committed" team.

"I said what I said, feel what I feel, and conveyed that privately, along with the discussion that went outward publicly," Del Rio said. "We're going to push, prod, demand, and expect every single person to be fully committed. I've always been a demanding guy. I'll continue to be a demanding guy. I know what I want for this football team. I know what I believe in, and I'm going to fight to get it. I expect our team to work, that's all. That's clear. I laid it out there for everybody and there will be no exceptions."

Henderson appeared to take Del Rio's message to heart, saying that he's "bought in" to the coach's program, which calls for total dedication to rebounding from last season's 5-11 record. Del Rio said Henderson "indicated [that] to me a half-hour, [or] an hour after I blew up [Tuesday]."

Henderson, 30, participated briefly in the club's individual drills Thursday, but he was held out of the team portion of the workout.

Earlier in the week, some teammates privately questioned whether Henderson was genuinely injured or merely trying to avoid practicing in the heat.

"I'll put my name on it," said backup defensive tackle Derek Landri. "Jack did what was right. He's the head coach. As players, we see more than the coaches because we're on the inside. Coaches see a good amount, but only so much. [Del Rio] said what had to be said."

Even Henderson seemed to agree, to an extent.

A 6-foot-7, 330-pounder, Henderson became one of the game's premier defensive tackles earlier in his career. But Henderson hasn't been a dominant force the past two seasons, making this offseason a critical period in his attempt to regain Pro Bowl form while leading a young, depleted defensive line.

"I know where he's coming from," Henderson said of Del Rio. "When he told me, I understood it. He wants me to be that leader, and I understand that. I'm going to do that just for him and for this team. There are a lot of young guys on this team, and they need somebody to follow. I'm ready for it. I'm ready. I'm in. In. Everybody hear that? I've bought in."

Major components of Henderson's decline the past two years seem to be personal issues and the absence of former Pro Bowl player Marcus Stroud, the longtime starter opposite Henderson, who was traded to Buffalo before last season. Henderson addressed those matters, but he explained it's now time to get past them.

"When [Henderson] wants to be, he can be an awesome player," Landri said.

The problem is, Henderson hasn't displayed much motivation through his work habits during OTAs.

Set to make nearly $5.5 million this season, Henderson hasn't posted more than 70 tackles in a season since 2006. Before then, he'd made 77 or more tackles in four consecutive years.

"A lot of stuff going on maybe [affected my play over the past two years]," Henderson said. "I can tell you as a man it was off the field, the stuff that was going on two years ago. Last year, [it was] just the changes and stuff.

"You know, I dealt with it and have to move on. Stroud [being] gone and all that, it was hard dealing with it, and now I've got to move on. [I] can't dwell on the past any more."

Del Rio isn't interested in rehashing it, either.

"There were things that had to be expressed and had to be understood, and as men, we have done that and, at this point, we're just going to work," he said.

In other news, the team announced the official addition of safety Marlon McCree.